For a car with a very limited production volume, post-war Lincoln Continentals, such as today’s 1948 Find, have made a lot of appearances here on Barn Finds. I have always found the ’46-’48 editions to be menacing looking and I think that’s due to the car’s association with the 1962 film noir known as “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” I saw that movie long, long ago and it gave me the creeps. And when you find one of these Lincolns in total disrepair or barn find condition, it just reinforces the creep factor. Fortunately, this Fredericksburg, Virginia coupe seems pretty heebie-jeebie proof, so let’s examine it, hopefully, there’s nothing lurking in the backseat…
Total 1948 Continental production was just about 1,300 copies with the coupe putting up almost twice the number of the convertible. This was also the end of the line for this edition of the Continental, one that dated to 1941. As with both Fords and Mercurys, 1949 would bring an entirely new Lincoln and a discontinuance of the Continental nameplate for several years. Notable, but unphotographed is this Continental’s 125 HP, 292 CI, V12 engine. The seller tells us that this example “runs and drives” but doesn’t elaborate beyond that. The listing states 76K miles of usage but offers no authentication. A three-speed manual transmission was the only game in town in ’48 though overdrive was an option.
“Has some roof damage to paint shown in picture” claims the listing and boy does it. It makes you wonder how something like that happened. That’s the bad news, but beyond that, this coupe’s exterior shows well. The finish exhibits some typical fade, as do the chrome bits, but the presentation is pretty clean. There’s no indication of rust, the very formidable cast grille is untouched, and the 76-year-old glass reveals no signs of delamination.
As for the interior, looks like there’s no backseat surprise…The leather upholstery is fair, though the lighter portions show as being heavily stained, and some rips are evident. The dash is typical for cars of this era with its oversized, center-mounted, chrome plate radio grille. The steering wheel possesses typical stress cracks but it still seems to be useable as is. One nice feature of this Continental is its power windows – I didn’t realize they were available this early on – it would be nice to know if they still work.
OK, no creepiness here; this is a nice, original example of Lincoln’s top-shelf model though some more listing detail would have been welcomed. As for the engine, the V12 is not without its detractors but most of that is based on problems encountered with earlier examples. The late production versions, such as the one employed in this car (this was the end of the run for the V12), are said to be rather reliable so I wouldn’t let that concern me if this Continental was of interest. If you would like to know more, you’ll find the listing here on Facebook Marketplace where it’s available for $12,000, OBO.
Santino ‘Sonny’ Corleone might be forgiven for feeling a little heebie-jeebied.
I bet the Lincoln v-12 is more reliable than a Jag v-12…cheap shot. Nice find, should it have fender skirts? Our local Lincoln dealership has one on display in the showroom.
Were those power windows electric or hydraulic?
hydraulic
GM & FoMoCo utilized hydraulics up until about 1953 or so. Chrysler pioneered electric windows in the 1941 Imperial limousine. The downfall of hydraulics was pump leakage inside the doors, ruining the interior panels.
Every time I see one of these I think of George Washington and Marilyn Monroe driving on a mountain on the Little Feat album cover.
Exactly!
JO
Thanks, Jim O and Rumpledoorskin, I also have that Little Feat album.
Gorgeous battleship, worth the effort!
Why can’t people take photos of the engine and a straight clear shot of the dash. I like looking at dash designs, even on Lincoln’s.
These are just strange looking to me, shapes that don’t look right together.
For someone who likes these, looks like a pretty good example.
I had a ‘54 Olds 98 convertible that had hydraulic power windows (I think the power seat was also hydraulic, but it was a LONG time ago). I don’t know when GM went to electric power windows.
As much as I prefer originality, these are the perfect car to restomod. A modern powerful engine, automatic transmission, 4 wheel disc power brakes, power steering, a/c, electric power windows, power locks, power seat, cruise control, am/fm stereo, radial tires and it definitely needs a power trunk lid. Often wondered how you get things in and our of it. Could be why the spare tire is outside, hence, a Continental. But, that’s just for starters. Let’s add duel exhaust, tilt and telescopic steering wheel and some of the latest doodads, just no “supercruise” please. I like driving myself.
As much as I prefer originality, these are the perfect car to restomod. A modern powerful engine, automatic transmission, 4 wheel disc power brakes, power steering, a/c, electric power windows, power locks, power seat, cruise control, am/fm stereo, radial tires and it definitely needs a power trunk lid. Often wondered how you get things in and our of it. Could be why the spare tire is outside, hence, a Continental. But, that’s just for starters. Let’s add duel exhaust, tilt and telescopic steering wheel and some of the latest doodads, just no “supercruise” please. I like driving myself.
I love the styling of the 41s through 48s Lincolns. The front styling is menacing, and it’s funny Lincoln tried to replicate it on its SUVs for a couple of years. Didn’t work then either.
But these cars are masterful and commanding in all their forms of 2 door, 4 door & convertible.
The movie “Mommy Dearest” had Joan Crawford (Faye Dunaway) owning a white convertible without skirts. Looked sportier that way.